Ancient Secrets!

Before long, Ao Qing arrived at the Ancient Dragon World. The moment he stepped inside, the seven elders sensed his aura and came to welcome his return.

Ao Qing was not surprised to see the seven elders waiting to receive him. Still, ripples stirred deep within his heart, filling him with warmth.

"Ao Qing greets the seven elders. You all remain as spirited as ever!"

Hearing Ao Qing's greeting, the seven elders were greatly pleased. They had protected him for so many years and had no children of their own. In their hearts, Ao Qing was not only their hope of achieving Dou Emperor, but someone they regarded with the affection of parents toward a child.

When Ao Qing had first come into the world, he had been exceedingly cautious. Though he bore them no hostility, he had never been close to them either; he had simply seemed cold. But now, little by little, he had begun to speak to them with greater familiarity. Perhaps every lonely soul hoped to find a harmonious place where it could settle a heart in need of comfort.

"Young Master, have you grown accustomed to being outside?"

"Young Master, did you encounter anything interesting?"

"Young Master, did you face any danger on this journey? Do you need us old fellows to lend you a hand?"

"Young Master..."

The seven elders all began asking about Ao Qing's circumstances over the past few months, concerned for his safety during his travels. At this moment, Ao Qing finally experienced what it felt like to have family. It was a little warm. The corners of his lips rose into a friendly smile.

"Rest assured, elders. I encountered no danger during this journey. In a place like the Northwest Continent, Dou Zuns are rarely seen, much less anyone capable of threatening me. Still, thank you all for your concern. Ao Qing is deeply honored!"

At that moment, the Grand Elder spoke.

"Young Master has only been gone for a few months. Why did you think to return and visit us old fellows so soon? Your travels cannot be over. In my view, Young Master must have something for which you need our help. Please speak freely."

Hearing the Grand Elder's words, Ao Qing could not help but marvel. The Grand Elder's wisdom truly was extraordinary.

"Grand Elder, just as you said, aside from visiting all of you, Ao Qing returned because I have a few matters I wish to ask about. After all, you elders know far more than I do."

"Of course. We have existed for countless years and know many things unknown to the world. Young Master, feel free to ask."

Ao Qing's praise filled the elders with pride. After all, in terms of age, they were likely among the last remaining figures of their kind on the continent.

Afterward, Ao Qing told the elders about what had happened when he refined the Green Lotus Core Flame, hoping they might know what that strange energy actually was.

Upon hearing Ao Qing's account, the elders all frowned. They did not know what it was either.

"I once possessed a Heavenly Flame as well. Three Thousand Burning Flame is the Heavenly Flame raised by our Ancient Void Dragon Clan. I discovered it when I was young, in the ancient era. At the time, Three Thousand Burning Flame was far too weak, so I did not intend to take it. Instead, I planted a Dragon Mark within it, intending to bring it back to the clan after it matured. But later, I entered the True Dragon Secret Realm, and after that, I never paid attention to that Heavenly Flame again. Though I did not take it away back then, I did refine it before separating it from myself again. During the refining process, I never encountered anything like what Young Master experienced today. And I know that many people have refined Heavenly Flames, yet none of them ever encountered Young Master's situation either..." Fourth Elder Zhu Li said with a hint of nostalgia.

"Is that so..."

Ao Qing was also puzzled. Why had they never encountered anything similar to his experience? Still, he suspected that it might be an issue with the Green Lotus Core Flame itself. Perhaps other Heavenly Flames did not contain that strange energy.

Just as Ao Qing was deep in thought, the Third Elder's voice rang out beside everyone's ears.

"Young Master, brothers, do you remember the secret chronicle Lord True Dragon left behind for our Ancient Void Dragon Clan?"

"Third Brother, are you referring to that utterly nonsensical secret chronicle?"

"Third Brother, if you know something, just say it!"

"Third Elder, please speak plainly!"

Ao Qing and the elders were all curious about what the Third Elder wanted to say. The Third Elder did not keep them guessing and spoke directly.

"The secret chronicle records this passage: There are immortals in heaven and earth; only spirits may become them. Spirits are the Heaven and Earth Source. Yet the source is not a spirit. If the Heavenly Dao exists, spirits cannot be taken. If the Heavenly Dao does not exist, they may be sought.

"And it is said that this was Lord True Dragon's purpose in coming to the Dou Qi Continent. Over the years, I have studied this matter as well. Though I do not know what the Heavenly Dao is, I imagine its meaning is roughly equivalent to the world itself.

"In other words, Lord True Dragon came to this world in order to obtain this so-called spirit and become one of these so-called immortals!"

"I have heard something of what Third Brother mentioned. It is said that immortals are supreme beings above Dou Emperors. The Dou Qi Continent once produced Dou Emperors in great numbers, yet even in that era, no immortals existed. Many Dou Emperors instead chose to travel to higher-level worlds to cultivate.

"But I do not see what this has to do with Young Master's experience."

"Big Brother, I suspect that strange energy is the source! You know that Dou Qi not absorbed by living beings is extremely violent. Once absorbed, it becomes gentle and can be controlled by living beings. That is precisely why this world has Dou Qi cultivation.

"And the source should be the most primordial state. Perhaps it can return Dou Qi to its original state. That is the basis of my speculation."

"Now that Third Brother puts it that way, it does make some sense. But as for the actual truth, it is difficult for us to determine. We can find another Heavenly Flame and see whether the same thing happens. It would be best if we refined it first, then separated it out for Young Master to refine, so we can observe the differences!"

"Big Brother is right. I shall go retrieve Three Thousand Burning Flame! What belongs to our Ancient Void Dragon Clan cannot be touched by others!"

Hearing the secret chronicle discussed by the elders, Ao Qing fell into thought. Nothing like this had happened in the original story, and his own experience had made him realize that he could not underestimate this world so easily. Still, for Ao Qing, this was major news. As for the so-called Heavenly Dao, to transmigrators like them, it was simply too normal, too easy to understand, was it not?

How many novels involved the existence of the Heavenly Dao? Some absurdly powerful protagonists could even trample the Heavenly Dao beneath their feet. Of course, Ao Qing would not aim too high. He already had his own conjecture. Once the Fourth Elder brought back Three Thousand Burning Flame, he would be able to confirm what he suspected!

Immortals! Beings above Dou Emperors. Would I, Ao Qing, have the chance to glimpse their splendor?

Ao Qing silently mused. Yet he did not show too much surprise. After all, he was a transmigrator. Keep a low profile, keep a low profile!

"Since all the elders have said so, then we shall wait until the Fourth Elder brings back the Heavenly Flame before verifying it.

"Today, Ao Qing must thank you all for telling me so many ancient secrets and broadening my horizons!"

"Hahaha, Young Master, there is no need for such courtesy. We old fellows have done nothing at all, merely recounted a few useless secret tales. Now that Young Master has returned, could you stay a few more days? Have some tea and chat with us old fellows, and tell us about the interesting things you encountered outside."

The elders wanted Ao Qing to stay for a few more days. They had not seen him for some time and truly missed him. Of course, they also wanted to tell him some of the continent's secrets, so that he would not suffer losses outside due to ignorance of them.

"Of course. Ao Qing will spend the next few days with you elders and tell you about the interesting things I encountered outside."

With that, Ao Qing entered the True Dragon Secret Realm with the elders.

After they left, the North Dragon King hurried to the place where they had departed. Seeing that the elders had already vanished, the North Dragon King was puzzled.

He had just been in seclusion, cultivating to improve his strength, but the moment he broke through, he sensed the auras of all the elders appearing within the Ancient Dragon World. The last time this had happened was six years ago, when Ao Qing first came into the world. Fearing that something had happened, the North Dragon King hastily ended his seclusion and rushed over, but he was still a step too late.

Though doubts remained in his heart, the North Dragon King did not dwell on them too much. With the elders present, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan feared no enemy!

After entering the secret realm, Ao Qing discussed matters of the continent and his experiences during this time with several elders. When they heard that Ao Qing had taken in a beautiful snake woman, the elders all clicked their tongues in amazement. They had thought they would never live to see the Young Master find a woman. But they had clearly misunderstood Ao Qing. Of course, men understood such things—who would take a beautiful snake woman as a servant for no reason? Surely it could not really be just to look after that Little Fox. But sorry, Ao Qing really was that kind of person!

Before long, several days passed, and it was time for Ao Qing to bid farewell to the elders.

"Elders, Ao Qing will be leaving today. While I am away, you must all take good care of yourselves. As for me, there is no need for you to worry. With my current strength as a Two-Star Dou Saint, ordinary people cannot do anything to me. So long as the foundations of the Emperor Clans do not emerge, my safety will not be an issue."

"Young Master, us old fellows will not say much. Just remember that behind you stands the entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan. We old fellows will always have your back. Just do not wrong yourself."

"Ah! Do not worry, Elders. I will not wrong myself. Besides, I, Ao Qing, am not someone who fears trouble!"

"Alright. Since you are about to leave, we have nothing much to give you. I have some blood essence from the Nine Nether Earth Python Royal Clan here. Take it for that little Medusa of yours to use. Hopefully, one day she can become a Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python. That is an existence capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with us."

Ao Qing was somewhat startled as he looked at the blood essence of the Nine Nether Earth Python Royal Clan given to him by the Grand Elder. It was difficult for Nine Nether Earth Pythons to possess pure bloodlines, let alone blood essence from Dou Saint-level beings! And there was so much of it. It was hard to imagine how many members of the Nine Nether Earth Python Royal Clan the Grand Elder had killed back then!

Ao Qing did not refuse, nor was there any need to. He would repay the elders in the future!

From now on, each chapter will be around three thousand words so everyone can enjoy reading it more. This book has been signed today, so feel free to shower the author with monthly votes, recommendation votes, and rewards—if you have them, of course. Finally, I hope everyone stays happy, joyful, safe, and healthy!